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Suunto t4c Heart Rate Monitor and Fitness Trainer Watch Black Frost

Monday, April 26th, 2010

Suunto t4c Heart Rate Monitor and Fitness Trainer Watch Black Frost




How long should you run? How fast should you pedal? How quick you should move? Answer these questions and more while receiving all the training guidance you need with the Suunto t4c heart rate monitor watch. The t4c employs a Suunto Coach feature to evaluate your athletic performance via a personalized five-day training program. Rather than spending weeks tweaking your workout regimen, the Suunto Coach quickly gets you on the right track by making intelligent training recommendations for the frequency, duration, and intensity of your workouts. And this, in turn, helps you get in great shape without wasting a ton of effort. Plus, if your schedule suddenly changes, the Suunto Coach will adapt by making a new plan that advises you which days to train and how, as well as when to rest.

The t4c also tracks your real-time Training Effect, a quick and accurate measurement of how hard your body is working at any given moment. By knowing your Training Effect, you’ll enjoy a more intimate understanding of your body’s workout “sweet spot,” an essential tidbit if you want to achieve your targets without setting yourself back by under- or over-training. The Training Effect works intuitively: The watch first notes the info from your personal fitness profile, and then analyzes your physiological progress and translates the data into a simple one-to-five scale. For example, if you want to improve your aerobic fitness at a moderate tempo, you should exercise until your TE meter reads between 3.0 and 3.9, two to four times per week. To improve your aerobic condition more rapidly–but without the risk of over-training–you should push yourself harder once or twice per week, so your TE meter reads 4.0 to 4.9, with a few recovery sessions in the TE 1.0 to 2.0 range. The Training Effect is relative to each individual. While a novice runner might achieve a TE of 4.0 on a four-mile jog, a professional runner might have to complete an uphill marathon to get the same reading. In other words, both runners will have to exercise hard to achieve a TE of 4.0.

The Suunto t4c also offers interference-free digital ANT transmission, making it easy to pair your heart rate monitor with the included Suunto comfort belt. You can also use this secure connection to monitor your speed, distance, or cadence by pairing your Suunto t4c with an optional Suunto training pod. Training pods are small units that attach to such items as a running shoe or a bike to calculate your speed, distance, and even pedal revolutions per minute while you exercise. Pods are ideal for athletes who aren’t satisfied with half-hearted training efforts, but really want to monitor their training routines down to the last detail. Finally, the t4c is equipped with an integrated training logbook that compiles your progress and personal stats. You can even conduct a more thorough analysis of your workouts by using the Suunto Training Manager Lite software.

Specifications:

  • Color: Black frost
  • Stopwatch: Yes
  • Max number of split times in memory: 50
  • Timers (interval and warm-up): Yes
  • Average heart rate: Real time
  • Training effect: Real time
  • Calories: Real time
  • ANT digital coded signal: Yes
  • Memory capacity: 15 logs
  • HR limits and HR zones: Yes
  • Suunto heart rate belt: Compatible, sold separately
  • Suunto comfort belt: Included
  • Suunto memory belt: Compatible, sold separately
  • Water resistance: 100 feet
  • Selectable metric/imperial units: Yes
  • Menu-based user interface: Yes
  • Dot-matrix display: Yes
  • Backlight type: Electro-luminescent display
  • User-replaceable strap: Yes
  • Software: Suunto Training Manager Lite
  • Low battery warning: Yes
  • User-replaceable battery: Yes
  • Suunto Coach personal training program: Yes
  • Button lock: Yes
  • Compatible with pods: Yes
  • Watch: 12/24 hour
  • Calendar clock: Yes
  • Dual time: Yes
  • Daily alarms: 1

Manufacturer’s Warranty
Two-year warranty

About Suunto
Suunto was founded in 1936 by outdoors man and a keen orienteering enthusiast, Tuomas Vohlonen, who had long been bothered by a problem: the inaccuracy of traditional dry compasses and their lack of steady needle operation. Being an engineer with an inventive turn of mind, he discovered and patented the production method for a much steadier needle, better readings, and a new level of accuracy. By 1950 the company was exporting compasses to over 50 countries around the world, including Canada and the United States. In 1952, Helsinki was hosting the Olympic Games, and the torches carried to light the Olympic flame were Suunto products. The next step was improving the stability and accuracy of marine compasses. The first marine compass, the Suunto K-12, was launched onto the market in 1953. In 1957, Suunto started manufacturing hypsometers, which measure the height of trees.

In the 1960s, the compass range grew further and Suunto introduced its first diving compass–initiated by the divers themselves. A British sports diver attached a Suunto compass to his wrist and found that the device also worked underwater. Thanks to his feedback and initiatives, the new business category was found. Suunto’s exports and business grew steadily and Suunto then focused on combining its strength in precision mechanics with new skills in electronics. Accuracy, reliability, and ruggedness have been Suunto’s key values from the very beginning of the company history.

Today, Suunto is a leading designer and manufacturer of sports instruments for training, diving, mountaineering, hiking, skiing, sailing, and golf. True to its roots, Suunto is today the world’s biggest compass manufacturer. Prized for their design, accuracy and dependability, Suunto sports instruments combine the aesthetics and functionality of watches with sport-specific computers that help athletes at all levels analyze and improve performance. Headquartered in Vantaa, Finland, Suunto employs more than 500 people worldwide and distributes its products to nearly 60 countries. The company is a subsidiary of Helsinki-based Amer Sports Corporation with the sister brands Wilson, Salomon, Atomic, Precor, and Mavic.

User Ratings and Reviews

5 Stars I Lovit I Lovit I Lovit I Lovit
This is a sweet piece of gear. I’ve been using it for about a month now. It works great and gathers a lot of data.

The watch itself is comfortable the band works especially well, (mine is the black volcano). A friend has a Suunto T4C as well, (his is the black frost), but his band is a little different. I will agree with other reviews that the face is prone to scratching. With this in mind I use mine only for workouts. The interface isn’t too difficult to figure out. Had it totally figured out after about 4 workouts. I saw a lot of reviews complaining about the complexity however with all the things this thing does the 5 buttons are easy enough to work with. My Timex was about as difficult to figure out.

The chest strap is OK. About as comfortable as a chest strap is going to be. It took a week or so to figure out exactly where to place the strap on my chest and how tight was tight enough. Once the chest strap placement is determined this thing rarely loses heartrate once it has captured it.

I could take or leave the coach function. It usually tells me to do long low intensity workouts or to rest. I haven’t really done much with the coach function as a result.

The data that the T4C can store is pretty extensive. There is detailed workout data available for the 14 most recent workouts. This data includes duration, training effect, average heart rate, peak heart rate, calories burned, and lap times (if using the lap timer). I don’t have the PC interface but transfer the infomation manually to a spreadsheet every few days. Long term data is available (totals) for the current week, the previous week, current month, and the previous 11 months. This data includes the number of workouts, total workout time, total running distance (Foot Pod), total bike distance (Bike Pod), total GPS distance (GPS Pod), and total calories burned.

I don’t have the Foot, Bike, or GPS POD paired devices.

I’ve found it most helpful when lifting. I’ve set heartrate targets for starting my next set so my weight workouts remain in a cardio zone. Prior to having the watch I’d just wait until if felt like my heartrate had dropped enough. Now I have hard data to start the next set.

Spent a lot of time researching before buying. I recommend buying something really cheap that you won’t mind throwing away when it fails/battery dies or buy something decent. This is something decent. Things that drew me to the Suunto T4C is a coded system. You won’t get crosstalk in a spin class with others using a monitor. With the Suunto you can change your own batteries. Most of the Polar monitors have to be sent back to the manufacturer for battery replacement, (read the reviews). The only other monitor that I considered was the Garmin Forerunner 305. Picked the Suunto T4C based on word of mouth of a friend, and I have no regrets.

That’s about all I have to say about that.

5 Stars perfect HR m.
SO I bought this watch, in need of a heart rate monitor and since I already owned a Suunto watch I thought I would love this one too. I LOVE IT! It’s comfortable, it’s easy to use once you figure out all the little applications, it’s a good size for women. I’m still finding cool little things out about the watch. I suggest you buy the wireless PC Pod too and it will also log your RPMs if you buy a bike pod or even distance if you buy a GPS pod or foot pod. The PC pod will log all your workouts on your PC. I am about to purchase that. The coach on the watch give you the option to follow it but it does not punish you if you don’t. The training effect is confusing at first but when you log your workouts it gives you a range to categorize each workout. I love this watch/ HRM and would recommend it to active women who are into gadgets.

4 Stars Suunto T4C
I have had the watch for a little more than a month now. I would say it is a very large step up from my Polar RS100. However I have a few complaints:

1. The backlight only works some of the time.

2. The screen scratches very easily

Other than that the watch is awesome.

2 Stars excellent but you have to praid for function works
this watch is excellent but mine works really bad, i bought it 3 weeks ago and never works on calories burned.. for example, I did 40 min of a hard spinning class and the watch said that I burned 30kcal at 84% average,,, poor watch… if you can buy a polar! i realized that a lot of users have severals problems with T series, pls find differents forum on the web and see them….

1 Star Useless!
I loved the look, feel, and the features this heart rate monitor provides, and I so wanted to keep it. However, if you use it while you move your arms around other than a stationary position you will lose your HR and therefore not have an accurate picture of your workout. I replaced the batteries in both the belt and the watch, paired the belt to the watch but it continued to lose the HR if my wrist went behind my back or over my head. I even returned it and bought it from a different store hoping to correct the problem. Both watches experienced the same situation. In desperately wanting to keep it, I researched and found this to be a common problem with Suunto. I have been a long time Polar user, but HATE the look of every single one of them, so I really was looking for the same quality. Unfortunately,Suunto isn’t the one.

Buy/More Info

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Suunto Advizor Wrist Top Computer Watch with Barometer Compass Altimeter and Chronograph

Friday, April 23rd, 2010

Suunto Advizor Wrist Top Computer Watch with Barometer Compass Altimeter and Chronograph




Suunto’s Advizor Wristop Computer is more than just a techno-geek toy. With an accurate compass and features such as measurement of air pressure and temperature, the Advizor can keep you on the right track during your outdoor adventures.

The Advizor also doubles as a digital personal trainer, with a heart rate monitor via its included chest strap. We clipped the strap on under a shirt (it will also work through the shirt, but you’ll need to get the shirt quite wet), moistened the electrodes, and the Advizor automatically picked up our heartbeat. With the plastic bar on the front, the strap wasn’t exactly comfortable, but we were able to forget about it after getting into our workout.

The simple-to-use monitor worked well for setting a target heart rate zone and alerted us by beeping an alarm when we went over or under the range. The heart rate monitor also stores information from past workouts, which let us keep track of average heart rate, maximum and minimum rates, and time spent in and out of the target heart rate zone.

Like other Suunto watches, the Advizor offers a barometer mode that keeps track of air pressure and trends (which let you forecast changes in the weather) as well as temperature. However, as the watch’s reading is affected by body heat, using the temperature gauge while working out can be problematic.

It also features a compass, useful for cross-country hiking and running, as well as an altimeter–accurate to within 10 feet. We did have to reset the altimeter rather frequently as it measures altitude using the barometer, so changes in air pressure can affect the altitude reading.

Its outer plastic bezel proves handy in different modes for showing barometric changes or changes in altitude denoted by a segmented digital circle that lights up around the perimeter of the watch.

And hey, get this, it tells time too. The watch functions of the Advizor include three alarms, a stopwatch, and a countdown timer. A bright backlight illuminates the watch face in dark environments, and it’s also waterproof to 100 feet. (Note, however, that it’s not a diving watch, so you can’t use the buttons to manipulate the modes while underwater.)

The Advizor is more expensive than other Suunto watches and other heart-rate monitors. But if you need all these tools packed into one device and are willing to pay for the consolidation, the Advizor definitely does a nice impersonation of a digital Swiss Army knife. –J. Curtis

Pros:

  • Accurate heart rate monitor
  • Ruggedly designed–great for the outdoors
  • Easy to switch between modes

Cons:

  • Large size can be unwieldy on wrist

User Ratings and Reviews

5 Stars solid equipment
I’ve worn mine since Decemeber of 1999, it’s still running strong and accurate. Gone through a few Heart Rate Chest straps, batteries and also replaced the bezel and strap. Would love to by my next Suunto but not ready to pack this one away.

5 Stars Suunto Advizor
I’m very happy with this new acquisition, the product is excellent and meet with my expectations.

3 Stars Technically Sound
Great features, but the display is hard to read unless you are direcly over the watch at zero angle. The field to the left of the hour display often displays other numbers at slight angles. I have had many watches(SuUNTO, Oregon Scientific, Bulova, Casio, nIKE) and none have aver done this. Im sure when I contact SUUNTO they will help me out. Just got the watch and havent had time. If it wasnt for that it would be TOP rated. So I will give it 3 stars….for now.

5 Stars Very Comfortable Watch
Originally purchased this watch in 2000, lost it in 2008 and bought a replacement. Have worn it around the world on a daily basis. I’ve knocked it against many things with the only damage shown being a few scuffs on the face. Did have to replace the watch band a couple of times. The band on the first one seemed to be bit sturdier than the newer ones.

I have a large wrist and most other watches dig into my skin and are uncomfortable, this one is very comfortable. I have also found the dual time zones and the choice of 12 hour or 24 hour format to be very beneficial.

4 Stars Suunto Advizor
Pros:

1. Great watch with a TON of features. Not many compass, altimeter, barometer combo watches also come with a heart rate monitor. That’s impressive.

2. This is one of the best styled watches I’ve ever owned.

3. Very comfortable and easy wearing band.

Cons:

1. Suunto Watches have terrible function navigation. There is no intuitive function design to these watches.

2. I use a stopwatch often and the stopwatch function can only be accessed through another function - which was a big negative for me causing me to give the watch away to a friend.

Buy/More Info

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Suunto t6c Heart Rate Monitor and Fitness Trainer Watch Black

Thursday, April 22nd, 2010

Suunto t6c Heart Rate Monitor and Fitness Trainer Watch Black




Reaching your goals can be tough. It takes the right tools, knowledge, and guidance to improve with each training session. Enter the Suunto t6c heart rate monitor and fitness trainer watch, a professional-grade training tool for monitoring, analyzing, and optimizing your workouts. The t6c is equipped with a bundle of valuable features, but none is more valuable than its correspondence with the included Suunto Training Manager PC software, which provides a detailed analysis of seven physiological parameters with an accuracy previously available only in sports laboratories. This analysis breaks down nearly every aspect of your training, so you can make adjustments and train more efficiently in the future.

The t6c also tracks your real-time Training Effect, a quick and accurate measurement of how hard your body is working at any given moment. By knowing your Training Effect, you’ll enjoy a more intimate understanding of your body’s workout “sweet spot,” an essential tidbit if you want to achieve your targets without setting yourself back by under- or over-training. The Training Effect works intuitively: The watch first notes the info from your personal fitness profile, and then analyzes your physiological progress and translates the data into a simple one-to-five scale. For example, if you want to improve your aerobic fitness at a moderate tempo, you should exercise until your TE meter reads between 3.0 and 3.9, two to four times per week. To improve your aerobic condition more rapidly–but without the risk of over-training–you should push yourself harder once or twice per week, so your TE meter reads 4.0 to 4.9, with a few recovery sessions in the TE 1.0 to 2.0 range. The Training Effect is relative to each individual. While a novice runner might achieve a TE of 4.0 on a four-mile jog, a professional runner might have to complete an uphill marathon to get the same reading. In other words, both runners will have to exercise hard to achieve a TE of 4.0.

The t6c includes a couple of additional features that put it above and beyond traditional heart rate monitor watches. For example, the t6c gives you a readout of your excess post-exercise oxygen consumption level (EPOC), letting you measure and adjust your training loads to ensure that your body is safely getting the most from each workout. And users will love the built-in altimeter, which lets you monitor your climbing or hill performance to know how your body will react when training at various altitudes.

Finally, the Suunto t6c offers interference-free digital ANT transmission, making it easy to pair your heart rate monitor with the included Suunto comfort belt. You can also use this secure connection to monitor your speed, distance, or cadence by pairing your Suunto t6c with an optional Suunto training pod. Training pods are small units that attach to such items as a running shoe or a bike to calculate your speed, distance, and even pedal revolutions per minute while you exercise. Pods are ideal for athletes who aren’t satisfied with half-hearted training efforts, but really want to monitor their training routines down to the last detail.

Specifications:

  • Color: Black
  • Measures vertical speed: Yes
  • Real-time vertical cumulative value: Yes
  • Temperature compensation: Yes
  • Total ascent/descent: Yes
  • Resolution: 1 meter
  • Recording intervals: 2 seconds, 10 seconds
  • Altimeter/barometer lock: Yes
  • Altitude range: -1,600 to 29,500 feet
  • Countdown timer: Yes
  • Stopwatch: Yes
  • Max number of split times in memory: 99
  • Timers (interval and warm-up): Yes
  • Average heart rate: Real time
  • Training effect: Real time
  • Calories: Real time
  • ANT digital coded signal: Yes
  • Memory capacity: 25 logs/100,000 beats
  • PC analysis: Yes, with 7 body parameters
  • EPOC: Yes
  • HR limits and HR zones: Yes
  • Suunto heart rate belt: Compatible, sold separately
  • Suunto comfort belt: Included
  • Suunto memory belt: Compatible, sold separately
  • Water resistance: 330 feet
  • Selectable metric/imperial units: Yes
  • Menu-based user interface: Yes
  • Dot-matrix display: Yes
  • Backlight type: Electro-luminescent display
  • Backlight option for night use: Yes
  • User-replaceable strap: Yes
  • Software: Suunto Training Manager (included)
  • Low battery warning: Yes
  • User-replaceable battery: Yes
  • Suunto Coach personal training program: No
  • Customizable display: Yes
  • Button lock: Yes
  • Compatible with pods: Yes
  • Watch: 12/24 hour
  • Calendar clock: Yes
  • Dual time: Yes
  • Daily alarms: 3

Manufacturer’s Warranty
Two-year warranty

About Suunto
Suunto was founded in 1936 by outdoors man and a keen orienteering enthusiast, Tuomas Vohlonen, who had long been bothered by a problem: the inaccuracy of traditional dry compasses and their lack of steady needle operation. Being an engineer with an inventive turn of mind, he discovered and patented the production method for a much steadier needle, better readings, and a new level of accuracy. By 1950 the company was exporting compasses to over 50 countries around the world, including Canada and the United States. In 1952, Helsinki was hosting the Olympic Games, and the torches carried to light the Olympic flame were Suunto products. The next step was improving the stability and accuracy of marine compasses. The first marine compass, the Suunto K-12, was launched onto the market in 1953. In 1957, Suunto started manufacturing hypsometers, which measure the height of trees.

In the 1960s, the compass range grew further and Suunto introduced its first diving compass–initiated by the divers themselves. A British sports diver attached a Suunto compass to his wrist and found that the device also worked underwater. Thanks to his feedback and initiatives, the new business category was found. Suunto’s exports and business grew steadily and Suunto then focused on combining its strength in precision mechanics with new skills in electronics. Accuracy, reliability, and ruggedness have been Suunto’s key values from the very beginning of the company history.

Today, Suunto is a leading designer and manufacturer of sports instruments for training, diving, mountaineering, hiking, skiing, sailing, and golf. True to its roots, Suunto is today the world’s biggest compass manufacturer. Prized for their design, accuracy and dependability, Suunto sports instruments combine the aesthetics and functionality of watches with sport-specific computers that help athletes at all levels analyze and improve performance. Headquartered in Vantaa, Finland, Suunto employs more than 500 people worldwide and distributes its products to nearly 60 countries. The company is a subsidiary of Helsinki-based Amer Sports Corporation with the sister brands Wilson, Salomon, Atomic, Precor, and Mavic.

User Ratings and Reviews

4 Stars Mostly Great Training Aid
I’ve been working out 6-7 days a week for the last 15 years without a break.

I’ve owned the T6c for about 9 months now and use it 6 days a week - cardio indoor, weightlifting, road biking, and outdoor running. By reviewing the data it collects during workouts I have been able to increase my fitness level. It’s given me new insight into my workouts and more importantly an objective set of metrics.

The only issue I have is that the comfort strap that came with it broke after only 6 months. The “clip” simply broke during a workout and checking the web, it seems to be a common problem. I replaced it with the memory strap in hopes that it will have better durability. So far, so good.

5 Stars Great piece of gear
I bought this to replace my polar. Much better. The foot pod is much more accurate. The software sucks, but the recommendation to purchase firstbeat is a good one.

The only things better about the polar 600sd is that it has more flexibility with displays. Almost everything else about the Suunto is better. Highly recommended.

4 Stars Very Happy but fustrated…
Upon receiving the T6c I was excited to try it but soon became fustrated. Am disappointed in the user manual you have to play with it. Am very satisfied after figuring it out but the included software is lacking, though this has been pointed out by others. Overall would recomend just make sure you have time to play with it.

5 Stars Suunto T6c
The bad …. the first one of these didn’t work properly. It was DOA and then went through two batteries in a week. That said, the guys at [...] were really helpful and sent me a new one very promptly. Buyers should be aware that Suunto quality control is not always perfect and I had a very similar problem with their Smart Belt a couple of years ago, although they replaced that under warranty.

The good … it’s a big improvement on the old T6. The ability to customize the screens is very useful and it’s also compatible with any pods you may have if you’re upgrading either from the T6 or any of the other T-series watches

4 Stars Overall very good with minor glitches
I have owned the t6c for about 2 months now. I previously had the t2c and wanted the added functionality of the t6c. I also purchased the GPS pod. Overall I like the unit. I am an advanced squash player and find the Training Effect (TE) function (based on the EPOC measurements) very valuable. Previously I believed the more you trained the fitter you got. According to Suunto there is an optimal training level, train under it and you do not improve, train over it and you risk overtraining which does more harm than good. The t6c shows you your real time Training Effect so you can set your TE goal and perform your workout to achieve it.

As others have noted, the software that comes with the unit is so-so. It calculates a bunch of variables but really doesn’t tell you what to do with all that information. The Firstbeat Athlete software ($80) which must be purchased separately has all the functions that the Suunto software does, but it also has a Coach mode which tells you based on your previous training sessions when and at what level your future training should be. For example it will say on Monday train at TE 2.5, Tuesday rest, Wednesday train at TE 4.0. Very useful information. Unfortunately my Firstbeat software stopped working and I have no idea why.

Some cons: The GPS strap against bare skin is quite scratchy and uncomfortable. The variable display in Display 1,2 mode does not show Max HR, a major oversight. The memory on the watch fills up quickly, so if you forget to upload previous sessions you may have to delete some logs to record new workouts.

Buy/More Info

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Suunto Running Pack Heart Rate Monitor

Tuesday, April 20th, 2010

Suunto Running Pack Heart Rate Monitor




By combining the Suunto T3c training watch with the Foot POD in one valuable package, the Suunto Running Pack provides committed runners with heart rate and physiological data, as well as training effect, accurate speed, and distance information. The Suunto Foot POD attaches to the laces of your shoes, and communicates with your Suunto training wrist top computer via a wireless connection to determine and record your running speed and distance traveled. This compact device is light as a feather and won’t even be noticeable while you go for your run. The Suunto Running Pack includes: T3c wrist top training computer, Foot POD, and Comfort Belt heart rate belt.

User Ratings and Reviews

2 Stars not as good as it seems
With the goal of training for the 2009 Walt Disney World Marathon, I sought a tool that would keep me informed during my workouts. This is not it. I read lots of reviews and also examined this item in person in a store. I purchased it hoping I would be able to navigate it’s controls more easily than other users since I consider myself technically adept. As other reviewers said (and I should have listened) this product is too difficult to operate and most importantly, the manual is unclear and incomplete.

To Amazon’s credit, the return process was remarkably easy! Full refund, postage paid, no questions asked. Thank you! Just be sure you keep ALL of your original packaging if you are as stubborn as me and decide to buy this. Otherwise, they will not likely take it back.

Subsequently, instead of choosing value as the deciding factor in picking my training tool, I chose quality. I wear a GPS enabled Garmin with a bezel/touch screen and love it. I wore it during training and as I ran and finished the WDW Marathon . I love it.

Good luck. And happy running.

5 Stars perfect training aide
The perfect information about your training status.I like the automatically adapted activity level most. It indicates very clearly whether you follow your training schedule or not.

Very reproducible foot pod numbers!! The measurement is +- 2% correct - incredible!

1 Star Will never by from Amazon again!
For the last probably 10 years I was a happy Amazon customer. That changed with my last Running Pack order. Amazon priced out the pack for $148.25. I found that a really great deal compared to other companies so I went ahead and bought it. The real seller of the product was `Watchsavings’ (or Jomashop) which sent me the product by UPS ground. But it turned out that they sent me the wrong product. So I called in and requested the running pack I ordered and what would be the best way to proceed. First of all, `Watchsavings’ told me that they don’t have the product al all and it was Amazon’s mistake they put it on their website for that “great deal”. They suggested that I send the wrong product back and order the pack instead from `Jomashop’ (was out of stock). Next thing was I called Amazon and they told me that it was Watchsavings’ product and I would have to deal with them! Great!! At that time I checked the Amazon website again for the T3 Running pack and now they offered it from another seller for $250, not really the amount I spent. What great situation: none of these two felt somehow responsible for the mistake or was able to deliver the product I ordered for the price I (of course) already paid. I sent the wrong delivery back to Watchsavings and got finally after one month my money back. I ordered the T3 running pack with another Internet seller, which was still cheaper that Amazon and provided an excellent service compared to Amazon or Watchsavings. I gave one star because I got my money back. Do not by from Amazon! Either they want to sell something they don’t have or they don’t feel responsible for the seller on their profile. I’m really, really disappointed with such a professional company!

5 Stars Simple and Easy
As a triathlete I’m always looking for the next magic electronic workout item. I currently love my Powertap for the bike and now I can add the T3C to that list of loves. It’s not that complex to operate compared to other systems out there. The instructions are clear for those that have used HRMs and Power meters before.

I did research on all running packs from Suunto, Polar and Garmin. The direct results from friends with the new small Garmin is that it is unreliable and the Polar too expensive and complicated. I would prefer the t6 but for the money the t3 is perfect. Plus I don’t lose reception when trail running.

I also got the bike pod and setting up the foot and bike pod is as easy as setting up a basic bike computer. The watch transitions from bike to run easily.

If you have never used an HRM before, you may find this difficult to set up as its not a simple Timex but compared to a Polar this thing was easy.

4 Stars Great training watch
I have used the system for 4 weeks by now and the watch is really great for training. The watch has a good strap that is solid and with a good grip. The watch is overall a good watch with clear reading of the display. The information presented is OK.

The revised heartrate monitor is a significant improvement over the old one. The old would would not reliably provide heart rate information, those problem are all gone with the new model.

The watch provides a lot of information and the interface to the PC is awesome. I am much happier with this system compared to the T3 I had before.

The alarm on the watch is not easily accessible and also not very loud, so the watch has some weaknesses as a general utility.

Buy/More Info

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Suunto t4c Heart Rate Monitor and Fitness Trainer Watch Black Volcano

Saturday, April 17th, 2010

Suunto t4c Heart Rate Monitor and Fitness Trainer Watch Black Volcano




The next generation of the t4 Suunto Watch, the t4c maximizes your comfort. Featuring Suunto’s remarkable new Comfort Belt made from soft fabrics, the t4c makes a heart rate monitor easier to wear. Traction strips keep the belt snug; while the removable transmitter module lets you throw your comfort belt right in the washing machine. The comfort belt may also be purchased separately for those wanting a spare or to upgrade from their older t4 heart rate monitor strap. Suunto t4c monitors your heart rate and caloric burn to assist you in developing an optimized fitness regimen. It also provides you with information about the progression and effects of your training through constant feedback on how to maximize the intensity of your exercises without the over exertion of your heart and muscles. This “intelligent sports watch”, via a simple cell-phone like interface, offers clear advice on how to get the most out of each and every workout. Chronograph Max number of split times in memory - 50 Timers - interval, warm-up, countdown Stopwatch Low battery warning / User replaceable battery Dot-matrix display Menu-based user interface Water resistance - 30m/100ft Selectable metric/imperial unit conversion Suunto Coach - personal training program

User Ratings and Reviews

5 Stars I Lovit I Lovit I Lovit I Lovit
This is a sweet piece of gear. I’ve been using it for about a month now. It works great and gathers a lot of data.

The watch itself is comfortable the band works especially well, (mine is the black volcano). A friend has a Suunto T4C as well, (his is the black frost), but his band is a little different. I will agree with other reviews that the face is prone to scratching. With this in mind I use mine only for workouts. The interface isn’t too difficult to figure out. Had it totally figured out after about 4 workouts. I saw a lot of reviews complaining about the complexity however with all the things this thing does the 5 buttons are easy enough to work with. My Timex was about as difficult to figure out.

The chest strap is OK. About as comfortable as a chest strap is going to be. It took a week or so to figure out exactly where to place the strap on my chest and how tight was tight enough. Once the chest strap placement is determined this thing rarely loses heartrate once it has captured it.

I could take or leave the coach function. It usually tells me to do long low intensity workouts or to rest. I haven’t really done much with the coach function as a result.

The data that the T4C can store is pretty extensive. There is detailed workout data available for the 14 most recent workouts. This data includes duration, training effect, average heart rate, peak heart rate, calories burned, and lap times (if using the lap timer). I don’t have the PC interface but transfer the infomation manually to a spreadsheet every few days. Long term data is available (totals) for the current week, the previous week, current month, and the previous 11 months. This data includes the number of workouts, total workout time, total running distance (Foot Pod), total bike distance (Bike Pod), total GPS distance (GPS Pod), and total calories burned.

I don’t have the Foot, Bike, or GPS POD paired devices.

I’ve found it most helpful when lifting. I’ve set heartrate targets for starting my next set so my weight workouts remain in a cardio zone. Prior to having the watch I’d just wait until if felt like my heartrate had dropped enough. Now I have hard data to start the next set.

Spent a lot of time researching before buying. I recommend buying something really cheap that you won’t mind throwing away when it fails/battery dies or buy something decent. This is something decent. Things that drew me to the Suunto T4C is a coded system. You won’t get crosstalk in a spin class with others using a monitor. With the Suunto you can change your own batteries. Most of the Polar monitors have to be sent back to the manufacturer for battery replacement, (read the reviews). The only other monitor that I considered was the Garmin Forerunner 305. Picked the Suunto T4C based on word of mouth of a friend, and I have no regrets.

That’s about all I have to say about that.

4 Stars Suunto T4C
I have had the watch for a little more than a month now. I would say it is a very large step up from my Polar RS100. However I have a few complaints:

1. The backlight only works some of the time.

2. The screen scratches very easily

Other than that the watch is awesome.

2 Stars excellent but you have to praid for function works
this watch is excellent but mine works really bad, i bought it 3 weeks ago and never works on calories burned.. for example, I did 40 min of a hard spinning class and the watch said that I burned 30kcal at 84% average,,, poor watch… if you can buy a polar! i realized that a lot of users have severals problems with T series, pls find differents forum on the web and see them….

1 Star Useless!
I loved the look, feel, and the features this heart rate monitor provides, and I so wanted to keep it. However, if you use it while you move your arms around other than a stationary position you will lose your HR and therefore not have an accurate picture of your workout. I replaced the batteries in both the belt and the watch, paired the belt to the watch but it continued to lose the HR if my wrist went behind my back or over my head. I even returned it and bought it from a different store hoping to correct the problem. Both watches experienced the same situation. In desperately wanting to keep it, I researched and found this to be a common problem with Suunto. I have been a long time Polar user, but HATE the look of every single one of them, so I really was looking for the same quality. Unfortunately,Suunto isn’t the one.

5 Stars perfect HR m.
SO I bought this watch, in need of a heart rate monitor and since I already owned a Suunto watch I thought I would love this one too. I LOVE IT! It’s comfortable, it’s easy to use once you figure out all the little applications, it’s a good size for women. I’m still finding cool little things out about the watch. I suggest you buy the wireless PC Pod too and it will also log your RPMs if you buy a bike pod or even distance if you buy a GPS pod or foot pod. The PC pod will log all your workouts on your PC. I am about to purchase that. The coach on the watch give you the option to follow it but it does not punish you if you don’t. The training effect is confusing at first but when you log your workouts it gives you a range to categorize each workout. I love this watch/ HRM and would recommend it to active women who are into gadgets.

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